Dear List members, Is anyone researching the WIERSCHEM family from Columbia, Il? Mine are from Madonnaville and Waterloo, but I suspect there would be a connection there. Other names are MEIER (Meyer) from Harrisonville, SHIELDS from Burksville, GANNON, who apparently moved elsewhere from this area, and HAGENE from Waterloo. Also, a bit of helpful advice...Are you all aware of the Online source of Illinois Death Records? You email them 2 names with date of death and they will MAIL you FREE the copy of the record. It must be AFTER 1919, but it is very helpful. The address is: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilclint2/dcert.htm I found out my ancestor's mother's maiden name and birthplace this way. Unfortunately, one other record just said unknown for those two answers, so it's only as accurate as the informant, but it's worth a shot. Can someone possibly do a lookup in the Monroe County death record book on the deaths of Mary MEIER nee Hagene born @1839 died between 1881 and 1899 Mary Margaret SHIELDS nee Gannon born @1835 Ireland, died between 1881-1899 Martin GANNON born @1820 Ireland, died between 1872-1880. Thanks!! ________________________________________ Gerry Meier [email protected] http://home.postnet.com/~gmeie/ ________________________________________